Main News

Daring the rain clouds to appear, American Legion Post 86 in Susquehanna hosted its annual parade and memorial service on May 25th in honor of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of our great nation.

The parade, which always draws a crowd of hundreds, was attended by the usual motorcycles, law enforcement, fire department, dignitaries, and classic cars, but also included an enthusiastic representation from the Susquehanna Area Little League, the Nurse Honor Guard, and miniature horses from a local business.

Following the parade, Adjutant commander of the post, Mike Maxwell, lead the memorial service which included the National Anthem being sung by Susquehanna native Julia Schell (for approximately the 12th year in a row, Maxwell noted), three selections played by the Susquehanna Community School band (led by Mike Wowk), and remarks by Susquehanna Community Christian Church Pastor Vince Chiaramonte, Susquehanna Borough Mayor Dennis Gow Jr, Commissioner Alan Hall, the Honorable Judge Jason Legg, and Body of Christ Church Pastor Kevin Setzer. There was an overall theme of acknowledging that “from Bunker Hill to Baghdad,” 1.3 million American men and women have died in order to secure 250 years of freedom for America, and that we (1) ought to acknowledge that for 1.3 million families, it is Memorial Day every day, and (2) that we ought to be a people virtuous enough to maintain our freedoms.

A wreath was laid by Post commander Ronald Beaven and Commissioner Alan Hall. The names of service members who had passed in the last year were read, a salute was rendered, and the taps were played. Mr. Maxwell then invited veterans for a meal at the post, paid for by a generous anonymous community member.

A hundred people or more turned out on a cold and soggy Saturday, May 23, in Harford to celebrate both the past and the future of their little village. They hope to make it an annual tradition called 9 Partners Day, as close as possible to May 22, the day in 1790 that 9 men from Massachusetts are said to have signed for the land that would become Harford.

This time the festivities included a re-dedication of a monument to that event, as well as the grand opening of the newly renovated ballfield and park. Pastor Will Hagenbuch of Harford’s First Congregational Church - UCC started off with an invocation on the theme from the old hymn, “We gather together,” at the pavilion in the center of the village that now houses the monument. He was followed by a summary of Harford’s past by local historian Mike Berol.

The monument itself has a history of its own. Originally placed at what was thought to be the location of the deed signing on its 100th anniversary in 1890, the stone obelisk ended up on the property of what is now Jeffers Farms. Little maintained and hard to reach through the forest from the nearest township road, the commemorative marker was the subject of an informal lease arrangement between Jeffers Farms and Harford Township. Once they acquired ownership of the triangle in the center of the village in 2023, the Township Supervisors decided to move the monument there; a pavilion was subsequently erected over the marker and the triangle became a park. That move has engendered some consternation in the local Historical Society, some of whose members think that the monument should have remained in its original location. The Society did have a modest presence at the event. Flowers and other plantings that adorn the monument’s pavilion are the work of a local resident, Jeff Baumley.

The plan for the day was to include a parade from the monument to the ballfield for its grand re-opening. The weather made for a rather bedraggled line of march, but assemble they did under tents, and under the park’s own pavilion, erected as an Eagle Scout project by Alex Empet 3 years ago, as the park’s renovation project began to get under way. Mr. Empet, now a college student, wore his scout uniform to dedicate the pavilion to the memory of Craig Stout, who with a few others outlined the idea for the project some 7 years ago.

The assembled multitude was warmed by coffee and donuts courtesy of the Township Supervisors, and fed by barbecued chicken donated by Acre Lake Tavern. Brief speeches were offered by County Commissioner Alan Hall and State Representative Jonathan Fritz. The Harford Township Municipal Authority was created under the Township Supervisors specifically to oversee the township’s parks, and especially this one. President of the Authority, Brad Millard, under whose direction the project was successfully completed at a cost of over half a million dollars, partly funded by the Township, and partly by grants from the state and the county, read out a long list of people who contributed their money, time and effort to make the dream come true for the town’s children.

Then a broad red ribbon was cut and the park was officially opened.

So what’s next for Harford’s newest park? Mr. Millard said that a phase 2 might include basketball courts that the kids have asked for, and another pair of restrooms. As it is, the park now has one set of comfortable restrooms, a spiffy new concession stand, a brightly equipped playground, a walking track, a smoothly paved driveway, and plenty of parking.

This event was originally supposed to include a bounce house, some baseball games, and vendors. Three vendors did show up this time, but the festivities are planned to extend into the following Saturday, May 30, when the weather might be better. Come and see!

“It comes down to money.” That was how New Milford Borough Council President Kerin Welch summarized the precarious financial position facing the only public outdoor pool in Susquehanna County, the Borough’s popular pool in Blue Ridge Park. The pool now has no manager, needs a new pump and filter, and, since the soda machine was removed, needs a water fountain.

Thought to have been built in about 1958, the pool has had major renovations in 1974 and the last time in 1989, 37 years ago. Efforts have been made to get a grant for a major overhaul, but even that would require substantial local matching funds.

The pump at the pool is actually too small for the size of the pool. A new pump of the proper size would cost $20,000 or more. The last manager, Karen Gudykunst, was paid only $1,200 for a season, and made herself available pretty much all the time during the season. Three lifeguards have expressed interest in returning, but they’re paid only $10.50 per hour. Daily fees and season subscriptions to the pool don’t come close to paying for its maintenance, much less anything like a renovation.

So, Borough Councilman Roger Stonier, offered a motion to distribute a flyer at the upcoming Mid-Town Festival about the situation, announcing that the pool would be closed this summer, and appealing for financial support.

In the meantime, planning is being finalized for the town’s annual Mid-Town Festival, coming up shortly on Saturday, June 6. Borough Secretary Amy Hine said that some 40 vendors have already signed up.

New Milford’s active Rotary Club will also be “bringing back its mid-summer fair” in the park in the middle of town. Council voted to donate $50 to that effort.

In the meantime, Rotary’s high school affiliate, the Interact Club, along with local Scouts, has been helping out with final touches on the upgraded playground in the park. Interact will be asked back to help out with the Mid-Town Festival.

The Borough has hired 17-year-old Dawson Garnett to help out with summer work around town on a part-time, as-needed basis.

There is some stirring in the bureaucracy about plans for the new fire company building on Main Street. The Borough received some land-use information from the county Planning Commission, but the dates for the submission of some of the paperwork don’t work. In the meantime, the fire company will be asked to help swap the banners along Main Street in spring and fall.

Mayor Scott Smith broached a subject that caused considerable consternation. A serious accident on the interstate that closed part of the highway for a while, caused traffic to back up at the intersection of Main Street and Route 492. Council considers this a major problem, since the highway is still under re-construction, and accidents have been more frequent than usual. Neither the state police, nor the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT), nor H&K (the highway construction company) seem to be interested in helping out.

Council is still having trouble assembling the quorum needed to conduct business. The minimum of 4 showed up this time. Council recently adopted a measure denying pay for Council members who don’t attend. One of the missing sent a letter claiming exemption for medical reasons. This excuse was accepted, but the members present agreed that henceforth, something from a doctor would be required as an excuse.

Don’t forget the Mid-Town Festival on June 6. And Council will meet next on Thursday, June 19, 2026 beginning at 6:30pm at the Borough office on Main Street.